Excavating-machine.



G. S. BROWN & F. H. GERDEMAN.

EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.1,1912.

Patented. Mar. 18, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WlTNESSES -Wm. .89 5. Wm

COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPI! rm, WASHINGTON, D. c.

INVENTORS G. S. BROWN & F. H. GERDEMAN.

EXGAVATING MACHINE. APPLICATION I-ILED F334, 1912.

1,056,398. Patented Mar. 18,1913.

3 SHBETSSHEET 2.

\VITNESSES W ATTORNEY nu PLANOGRAFH CO,.\\I\SHINGTON. h c

G. S. BROWN & P. H. GBRDEMAN.

EXGAVATING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED FEBJ, 1912.

| mm I \VlTNESSES mvemons Wm M ZZww-n m I? W I 27 W2 %A,ATTORNEYSCOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WAS

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHALMERS S. BROWN AND FRANK I-I. GERDEMAN, OF FINDLAY, OHIO, ASSIGNORSTO THE BUCKEYE TRACTION DITCI-IER COMPANY, OF FINDLAY, OHIO, ACORPORATION OF OHIO.

EXCAVATING-MACI-IINE.

To all rv/20m {6771([12/ concern:

Be it known that we, OHALMERS S. BROWN and F RANK H. GERDEMAN, citizensof the United States, and residents of Findlay, in the county of Hancockand State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful EX-cavating-Machine; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thefigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

Our invention relates to means particu larly intended for use inconnection with the dirt or other material conveying mechanism of ditchdigging machines or the like, but is not restricted to such use as itmay be used in any connection for which it may be adapted orappropriate.

The object of our invention is the provision, in combination with thecustomary adjustable frame carrying the digging means and with theconveyer mechanism for the diggings, of means which is automaticallyoperable to maintain the axes of the apron guiding rolls of the deliverymechanism level or in a horizontal plane irrespective of the inclinationof said frame, thus obviating the objections incident to the apronlaterally tilting with the frame as it gradually swings about a pivotalpoint upon a raising or lowering of the digging means, as is wellunderstood in the art.

A further object of our invention is the provision of simple andimproved means for adjusting the longitudinal inclination of theeonveyer mechanism for the diggings.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, andwhile, in its broader aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerousforms, a preferred embodimentthereof is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an excavating machineembodying the invention, with the digging wheel frame in horizontalposition. Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the conveyer mechanismwith the conveyer belt removed. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof, with thewheel carrying frame in cross-section, and Figs. 4 and 5 areSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 1, 1912.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

Serial No. 674,778.

enlarged side elevations of portions of the digging-wheel carrying frameand associated conveyer parts equipped with our invention, and with theframe in the latter figure tilted from horizontal position,

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the portable or wheeled frame ofa ditching or excavating machine of the traction type, from the rear endportion of which rise laterally opposing standards 2 (one only beingshown), each of which is provided with a vertical guide way 3. The frame4, which customarily comprises two rigidly spaced I-beams or similarmembers, has the excavating wheel 5 mounted between the members thereoffor rotary digging movements relative thereto, and has its inner orforward end provided at each side thereof with a laterally projectingtrunnion 6 for working in the guide-way 3 of the associated standard andserving as a pivot for such frame.

The inner end of the frame 4 is suspended for vertical adjustment by oneor more cables 7, which wind at their upper ends around a windlass 8,which is shown as being geared in a suitable manner to a handcontrolwheel 9, which is mounted on the frame 1 in convenient position to beworked by the operator.

The outer or free end of the frame 4 is suspended in proper positionrelative to its inner end by a cable or cables 10, which extends upwardand forward from the outer end over a sheave 11, carried at the upperend of one of the standards 2, and thence passes down to and around awindlass drum 12, which is suitably geared to a hand-control wheel 13,carried by the frame 1 adjacent to the control wheel 9 to enable theoperator to work either or both of such wheels as desired. 1

In carrying out the features of our invention we provide a conveyermechanism frame which is capable of transverse as well as longitudinalrocking movements relative to the frame 4 by which it is carried. In thepresent instance this conveyer frame is shown as comprising alongitudinally extending shaft or bar 14, to the opposite ends of whichare attached the yokes or forked members 15 and 15 between the arms ofeach of which is mounted a guideroll 16 for the conveyer apron 17, theinner one of such rolls being the drive-roll for the apron. The yokemember 15 is rigidly a it ached to the shaft it in any suitable man nor,while the yoke member 15 is prevented from turning upon the shaft letbut is permitted to have limited longitudinal movements thereon byreason of a bolt 18 projet-tine through the shaft and working in 7 eringlongitudinal slots '19 in the memher. see l ig. It coiled compressionspring in is mounted on the shaft 14 between the .e members and has oneend in thrust contact with the inner end of the yoke member 15 and itsother end anchored to the shaft. "has tending to force the rolls it)apart to hold taut an apron mounted thereon, as is apparent. A shaft 21is fixed to the inner end portion of each yoke member transverselythereof and carries idler apronsi'zpporting rolls 721 at its ends.

The shaft which carries the drive-roll 16 of the conve'yer meclninismhas the forwardly projecting end thereof. or that. projecting toward theinner end of the frame It, mounted in a bearing standard without theyoke t5, and is universally jointed between such standard and the yoke,as indirated at 23, thus enabling said roll and the conveyer mechanismframe to have lateral rocking movements relative to the portion of theroll shaft which is mounted in said h airing. The bearing standard 22'mounted on one of the men'ihers of the frame at and is shown ascooperating with a bearing standard "22 on the other member of suchframe to support a transverse shaft 24. which is geared to thedrive-roll shaft of the conveyer mechanism and also to any suitabledriving means, as well understood in the art.

Rising from the frame l without the yoke 15 at the rear end of thedrive-roll it) is a standard having a vertical guide-way 26 in its innerside in which the rear end of the drive-roll shaf or a part of the yoke15 in substantial alinemcnt with such shaft, as indicated at 26. worksto guide the vertical rocking movements of said roll and carrying frame.

A cable 27 attaches to the shaft or yoke part 26 and passes upwardtherefrom over a sheave 28, carried by the standard 25, and thenceforward over one side of the frame t and attaches to the cable '7, as at99. The point of. attaching the cable 27 to the cable T is gaged so thatthe transverse plane of the conveyer mechanism will stand in level orhorizontal position whether the frame t horizontal or has its free endtilted upward from horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 4-. and Itwill be apparent by reference to these figures that upon a raising ofthe free end portion of the frame t from a horizontal plane such framewill approach the plane of the cable or attaching member 7 for the cable27, thus permitting the rear side of the conveyer mechanism. to lower inequal proportion to maintain its level, and that the leveling movementof the conveyer mechanism will be the reverse when the frame a islowering to horizontal position.

The raising and lowering movements of the free end of the convey 2rmechanism, to permit a high or low delivery of the diggings therefrcn'i,is controlled by the movements of a lever member 30. which is fulcrumedin brackets 31 carried by one of the beam members of the franiie 4: andhas an arm 30" extending outwardly toward the free end of the conveyorand thence angling ll'tlllSVtl'SQlY under the conveyer with its free endbent. as at 30, to form a seat for the inner end portion of the yoke 15on which it may laterally rock. The other arm 30 of the lever 30projects upward from its fulcrum and has a rod 32 etrttending from itsfree end and working through an opening in a flange of the standard. It.crankhandle 3?) is thrmded onto the free end portion of the rod andcooperates with the standard flange against which it bears and with saidrod to effect a movement of the lever 30 to raise the outer end of thecon veyer or to permit a gravity lowering of the conveyer upon a turningof the cranle handle in one direction. or the other.

in the use of machines of this character it is customary to lower thepivotal end of the excavating-wheel carrying fran'ie trelative to theouter end thereof preparatory to excavating. so that said frame standson an incline when the wheel 5 is in. initial cutting position. its thecutting or excavating operation progresses the operator slowly turns thecontrol wheel 13 in the proper direction to pern'iit a gradual loweringof the outer end of the frame l: to lower the cutting wheel therewith.ll hen the outer .lltl of the frame t has lowered sutliciently for theframe to stand in substantially horizontal position, the operator worksthe hand control wheel 9 to permit a lowering of the innor end of theframe t to again place such frame in inclined position preparatory tolowering the depth of the cut, and then works the control wheel 13 totake up the slack occurring in the cable 10 due to the frame 4: rockingwith the wheel as its axis when its inner end is, being lowered. llyreference to Figs. 1. -fl and 5 it will be ap parent that the cable orframe suspi-iuding member 7 is stationary (linking the swingingmovements of the frame 4t. thus permitting! the conveyer mechanisnn theouter side of which is attached to said cable through the cable 2?, tomaintain a transverse level position irrespective of the swinging movements of the frame 4:. ll itih this arrange ment the rolling of thediggings laterally from the conveyer apron due to a lateral tilting ofsuch apron with the frame to which it is attached, as has heretoforebeen the case, is entirely obviated, thereby ma tcrially enhancing theefficiency and practicability of apparatus of this class. To change thelongitudinal inclinations of the conveyer mechanism to suit theconditions it is only necessary to turn the crank 33 to effect aswinging movement of the lever member 30 in one direction or the otherto raise or lower the outer end portion of the conveyer mechanism asdesired.

It is apparent that we have provided simple and efficient means forautomatically adjusting the conveyer mechanism relative to theexcavating wheel carrying frame to permanently maintain such mechanismin transverse level position irrespective of the inclinations of saidframe, and that we have adapted such mechanism for attaching to therotary cutter type of excavating machines commonly used. It is to beunderstood, however, that such adjusting mechanism is not restricted touse in connection with excavating machines of the particularconstruction shown, but is intended for use in any connection for whichit may be applicable.

We wish it also to be understood that our invention is not limited toany specific construction or arrangement of the parts except in so faras such limitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is,

1. In an excavating machine, a tiltable cutting-wheel carrying frame, aconveyer mechanism carried by said frame for lateral tilting movementsrelative thereto and having an apron driving roll, a drive shaft carriedby said frame and having universal connection with said roll, whichconnection serves as the tilting axis of the conveyer, and meansautomatically operable to maintain said mechanism in transverse level position irrespective of the inclination of said rrame.

2. In a machine of the class described, a vertically adjustable member,a tiltable cutting-wheel carrying frame vertically adj ustable with andattached to said member and adapted to have vertical swinging movementswhen said member is at rest, a conveyer mechanism for delivering mattertransversely of said frame and mounted for lateral tilting movementsrelative to the frame, and means connecting said member and conveyermechanism for maintaining the transverse plane of said mechanismconstant relative to said member irrespective of the inclination of saidframe.

3. In an excavating machine, a tiltable and vertically adjustable frame,a conveyer mechanism carried by said frame for latirrespective of theinclination of said mechanism.

it. In an excavating machine, a tiltable cutting-wheel carrying frame,means suspending the inner end of said frame for pivotal movements andoperable to vertically adjust said frame end, a conveyer mechanismcarried by said frame for lateral tilting movements relative thereto,and means connecting said suspending means and mechanism to maintain thetransverse plane of said mechanism and said suspending meanssubstantially in fixed relation irrespective of the position of saidframe.

5. In an excavating machine, a vertically adjustable recliningcutting-wheel carrying frame, means adjustably suspending one end ofsaid frame for vertical swinging movements, a conveyer mechanism carriedby said frame for delivering material transversely thereof and mountedfor lateral tilt ing movements relative to the frame, and meansconnecting the outer tiltable side of said mechanism to said suspendingmeans for maintaining the transverse level of said mechanism constantirrespective of the inclination of said frame.

6. In a machine of the class described, a tiltable cutting-wheelcarrying frame, a conveyer mechanism carried by said frame for tiltingmovements relative thereto, a part associated with the inner end portionof said frame, a cable attaching the outer side of said conveyermechanism to said part, and means guiding the movement of said cable tocooperate therewith and with said part to maintain the transverse planeof said mechanism substantially constant irrespective of the inclinationof said frame,

7. In a machine of the class described, a reclining frame mounted forvertical swinging movements, a conveyer mechanism for delivering mattertransversely of said frame and mounted for lateral tilting movementsrelative thereto, said mechanism having an apron drive roll, a shaftmounted on said frame and having universal connection with and adaptedto support an end of said roll, means guiding the vertical swingingmovements of the opposite end of the roll relative to said frame, andmeans supporting the swinging end of said roll and mechanism forfloating action relative to said frame to maintain the transverse levelof said mechanism substantially constant irrespective of a swingingmovement of the frame.

8. In a machine of the class described, a reclining :t'rame mounted forvertical swinging movements, :1 eonveyer mechanism oarried by said framefor longitudinal swinging' and lateral tilting movements relativethereto, and means operable to adjust the longitudinal inclination ofsaid mechanism and permit it to have lateral rocking move ments relativeto the frame.

9. In combination, a frame mounted for vertical swinging movements, adrive shaft rarried by said frame, a conveyor mechanism having an aprondriving and guiding roll attached at one end to said shaft for universalmovements relative thereto, and means cooperating with said shaft insupporting the conveyor and automatically 0 erable to maintain thetransverse plane of the conveyer substantially horizontal irrespectiveof the inclination of said frame.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto signed our names to thisspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHALMERS BROWN. FRANK H. GERDEMAN.

Witnesses Lno A. KRUPP, CHARLES Jonmn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of "Patents, "Washington, D. C

